Relief orthosis

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a relief orthosis comprising a foot part which comprises a sole, a shank part extending away from the foot part in the proximal direction, and at least one fastening element for fastening the orthosis to a user, which fastening element is disposed on the foot part and/or on the shank part, wherein the foot part is embodied with an adaptable length.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuing application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/784,686, filed 15 Oct. 2015, and entitled RELIEF ORTHOSIS, which is aNational Stage Entry of International Patent Application No.PCT/EP2014/001035, filed 17 Apr. 2014, and claims the benefit of andpriority to German Patent Application No. 10 2013 207 256.2, filed 22Apr. 2013, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein in theirentireties by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a relief orthosis with a foot part, which has asole, with a shank part, which extends away from the foot part in theproximal direction, and with at least one fastening element, whichsecures the orthosis on a user and which is arranged on the foot partand/or on the shank part. A relief orthosis of this kind can be used inparticular as a heel relief orthosis in calcaneal fractures.

Heel relief orthoses from the prior art are known, for example, in theform of the 28F10, which is sold by Otto Bock Healthcare GmbH and whichpermits early functional therapy of calcaneal fractures. The orthosisrelieves the calcaneus and supports the longitudinal arch and the lowerleg area. By means of exchangeable inserts, it is possible to exertgreater weight successively on the calcaneus.

The object of the present invention is to make available a relieforthosis with which it is possible to achieve improved individualadaptability to the patients.

BACKGROUND

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a relief orthosishaving the features of the main claim. Advantageous embodiments of theinvention are disclosed in the dependent claims, the description and thefigures.

In the relief orthosis with a foot part, which has a sole, with a shankpart, which extends away from the foot part in the proximal direction,and with at least one fastening element, which secures the orthosis on auser and which is arranged on the foot part and/or on the shank part,provision is made that the foot part is designed to be modifiable inlength. The adjustability of the length of the foot part permits exactadaptation of the orthosis to the length or width of the foot and thusto the respective patients, without a separate orthosis having to beproduced for each foot size or without a patient having to wear anorthosis that is not an exact fit.

SUMMARY

In a development of the invention, a longitudinal arch preform isprovided, which is secured on the foot part and which relieves acalcaneus during walking or standing. In the case of a calcanealfracture, the longitudinal arch preform makes it possible for thecalcaneus to be initially relieved completely of any stress, and for theforces that occur to be carried off via the plantar arch, the sole andthe shank part, such that, particularly after fresh fractures, no loador only a very slight load can initially be exerted on the calcaneus.

The foot part can be of a multi-part design and have a forefootcomponent and a heel component, which are designed to be movablerelative to each other and to be able to be secured on each other. It isthereby that the forefoot component is movable to the heel component andcan be fixed in the respectively desired mutual position. Provision isalso made that the length in the transverse direction is alsomodifiable, such that the width of the relief orthosis can be adjusted.

The forefoot component and the heel component can be mounted on eachother in a longitudinal guide, for example in a rail and groove guide,and can be fixed to each other via clamping elements or form-fitelements. It is thereby possible, by simply releasing or removing theclamping elements or form-fit elements, to produce the longitudinaldisplaceability of the two foot part components in relation to oneanother and, after the positioning of the components relative to eachother, to lock them in the desired setting. The longitudinal guide makesthe displacement in this case easier, since a basic assignment andorientation of the forefoot component to the heel component ismaintained.

Latching elements can be arranged or formed in or on the forefootcomponent and the heel component in order to orient the two componentsrelative to each other. It is likewise possible that orientationmarkings are present on the forefoot component and/or on the heelcomponent and make it possible to orient the components relative to eachother, to adjust the length of the orthosis and then to fix the latterby means of clamping elements, form-fit elements or other devices.

For their part, the fastening elements with which the orthosis can besecured on the user can be secured movably on the foot part and/or onthe shank part, such that the individualization of the orthosis can befurther improved, since the fastening elements are positioned at thoselocations on the orthosis where the orthosis can be secured in the bestpossible way while at the same time ensuring the least possibleimpediment and the maximum level of comfort for the person using theorthosis.

The fastening elements can be secured on oblong holes or in recesses orholding devices arranged at discrete from one another. The recesses orholding devices secure the area along which the fastening elements canbe secured on the foot part and/or shank part. Oblong holes permit astepless displacement of the fastening elements and, therefore, anautoadaptive orientation for the respective user.

The longitudinal arch preform can be secured releasably or movably onthe foot part, for example by hook-and-loop fastener connections, alongitudinal guide or bores or threads arranged at distances from eachother, such that securing can be achieved at discrete distances or in amanner movable almost continuously.

The hook-and-loop fastener elements can be designed to be able to besecured in several positions on the foot part, wherein the hook-and-loopfastener elements are in particular provided to secure the longitudinalarch preform on the foot part. For this purpose, provision is made thatthe hook-and-loop fastener elements form part of the hook and loopcomponents of a hook-and-loop fastener, such that the longitudinal archpreform can be secured on the foot part in a manner tailored to theindividual user.

The fastening elements for securing the orthosis on the foot can bedesigned as a Y-shaped hook-and-loop connection, so as to be able toachieve an easily adaptable length. The Y-shaped hook-and-loop elementis advantageously formed as hook elements on a surface and the mutuallyopposite inner faces, while the rest of the fastening element isdesigned as a fleeced element, such that, by shortening the fleecedelement and securing the Y-shaped hook-and-loop element on the fleecedelement, it is possible to achieve a length adaptability. To secure theorthosis on the foot or shank, the fastening element can be guidedthrough a slit or a deflection element and can be folded back and fixedon itself.

Markings for shoe sizes can be provided on the outer face of the footpart, either on the forefoot component or on the heel component, suchthat a rough initial setting can be made on the basis of thefundamentally known shoe size of the person using the orthosis.Likewise, markings can be provided on the foot part for positioning thelongitudinal arch preform according to the usual shoe sizes, so as topermit an initial setting and easier positioning of the longitudinalarch preform.

Advantageously, the relief orthosis with the foot part and the shankpart is designed symmetrically in the longitudinal direction, such thatit can be used both on the right foot and on the left foot. The heelcomponent then serves as a so-called container which encloses the heelin four directions. An X-ray point can be arranged in or on the shapedlongitudinal arch part, so as to be able to carry out thephysiologically exact positioning of the longitudinal arch preforminside the relief orthosis. After the orthosis has been put on for thefirst time, the X-ray point, which has a relatively high density and canbe made of metal for example, allows an X-ray to be taken to checkwhether the longitudinal arch preform is correctly positioned.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are explained in moredetail below with reference to the attached figures, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective overall view of a relief orthosis;

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of a first embodiment;

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of a second embodiment;

FIG. 4 shows bottom views of a relief orthosis in different lengths;

FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of the variant from FIG. 2 seen obliquelyfrom above; and

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a further variant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a relief orthosis 1 in the form of a heel relief orthosiswith a foot part 2, which has a sole 3. The sole 3 is adjoined, at therear end, by a shank part 4, which extends from the foot part 2 in theproximal direction. Fastening elements 5, 6 are arranged both on thefoot part 2 and also on the heel part 4 in order to fit the relieforthosis 1 on a user (not shown). The fastening elements 5 on the heelpart 4 are in the form of hook-and-loop fastener straps. The fasteningelements 5 provide for the anterior closure of the heel part 4, which isclosed in the posterior direction.

A fastening element 6 extending across the instep and in the form of ahook-and-loop fastener strap is secured on the foot part 2. After theyhave been guided through a guide, a D-ring, a tab or a slit, thefastening elements 5, 6 on the heel part 4 and on the foot part 2 arefolded back on themselves and secured in order to fasten the relieforthosis 1 on the foot.

The foot part 2 with the sole 3 is designed in two parts and has aforefoot component 21 and a heel component 22. The forefoot component 21is secured movably on the heel component 22. From the heel component 22,the shank part 4 extends integrally in the proximal direction. Inaddition to the shank part 4 being designed integrally with the heelcomponent 22, it is possible to design the shank part 4 and the heelcomponent 22 as separate components that are secured on each other.

A protective cover 16 is arranged on the forefoot component 21 and isdesigned to be able to be closed so as to surround the foot and give ashoe-like appearance when the relief orthosis is fitted.

FIG. 2 shows a first variant of the relief orthosis 1 in an explodedview seen obliquely from below. The individual elements of the relieforthosis 1 are shown. In addition to the integral design of the heelcomponent 22 with the shank part 4, the fastening elements 5, 6 areshown in the form of a Y-shaped hook-and-loop fastener. The fasteningelements 5 on the shank part 4 are guided through oblong holes 51 whichare arranged medially and laterally on the proximal end of the shankpart 4. With the aid of the oblong holes 51, it is possible, on the onehand, to achieve mobility in the proximal-distal direction and, on theother hand, to guide the free end of the fastening element 5 through thehole, fold it back on itself and secure it to itself. For this purpose,provision is made that a part of the fastening element 5 is designed asa fleeced strap, at the end of which a Y-shaped piece is arranged whichhas hook components on at least one side such that, after the Y-shapedpiece has been guided through an oblong hole 51 and has been folded backonto the fleeced strap, it can be secured on the latter.

Recesses 61 are arranged next to each other on the heel component 22 andextend in the anterior-posterior direction, such that the fasteningelement 6, which is likewise designed as a Y-shaped hook-and-loop strap,can be secured at the respectively desired position. A D-shaped buckle,provided as a mating piece, can be arranged on a corresponding recess 61on the upper edge of the shell-like part of the heel component 22.

In the illustrative embodiment shown, three holes 81 oriented in theanterior-posterior direction are formed in three rows arranged alongsideeach other on the sole area of the heel component 22 and are intended toreceive corresponding projections in hook-and-loop fastener elements 8.Threads are formed in the projections on the hook-and-loop fastenerelements 8 in order to screw in screws 9 through recesses 91 and throughthe holes 81 and thus secure the forefoot component 21 in one of thethree possible positions. Markings 25 arranged on the outer face of theheel component 22 or marking 72 of the forefoot component 21 (see FIG.3) indicate the size setting in which the forefoot component 21 issecured on the heel component 22.

On the top face directed toward the user, the hook-and-loop fastenerelement 8 is provided respectively with the loops or hooks of ahook-and-loop fastener 82 in order to cooperate with the correspondinghook-and-loop fastener element 71 arranged on the underside of alongitudinal arch preform 7. The longitudinal arch preform 7 can beplaced in the desired position in the anterior-posterior direction ontothe hook-and-loop fastener elements 8 and fixed in position. It is thuspossible for the longitudinal arch preform 7 to be assigned to the shankpart 4, the heel component 22 and the forefoot component 21 in a waywhich, although modifiable, is set in the chosen position.

FIG. 3 shows, in the same perspective as in FIG. 2, a variant of theinvention in which, instead of three hook-and-loop fastener elements 8,there are only two. A guide rail 24 with a T-shaped cross section isarranged on the underside of the heel component 22. A correspondinggroove 23 is worked into the top face of the forefoot component 21, suchthat the forefoot component 21 is movable in the anterior-posteriordirection along a longitudinal guide which is formed by the T-shapedrail 24 and the corresponding groove 23. With the aid of the screws 9,the forefoot component 21 can be secured on the heel component 22 eitherwith a form fit or by clamping. Other fixing options are also possible.A size adjustment can be carried out using the markings 25, theorientation of the forefoot component 21 with respect to the heelcomponent 22 determining whether the markings 25 are concealed by a flap26 (which may also act as an orientation marking) or exposed.

FIG. 4 shows a relief orthosis 1 in a bottom view in different lengthsettings. The upper view shows the forefoot component 21 and the heelcomponent 22 in the position in which they are as close as possible toeach other, i.e. in the shortest version of the relief orthosis 1. Onlyone marking 25 can be seen. In the view underneath, the screws 9 arescrewed into the front threads of the hook-and-loop fastener elements 8,such that three markings 25 can be seen, which means that the longestversion of the relief orthosis 1 has been set.

In FIG. 5, the relief orthosis 1 according to FIGS. 1 and 2 is shown inanother perspective view. The individual components correspond to thoseof FIGS. 1 and 2, except that the oblong holes 51 and the designs of thefastening elements 5, 6 as Y-shaped hook-and-loop fastener tapes can bebetter seen. Similarly, the hook-and-loop fastener elements 8 with thehook or loop elements on the top face for adjustable securing of thelongitudinal arch preform 7 on the orthosis can be better seen. Throughthe recesses in the fastening elements 6 across the instep, a form-fitsecuring on the holes 61 in the heel component 21 can be obtained viastoppers, screws or the like.

Profile elements can be mounted on the underside of the foot part 2 inorder to provide an improved hold on the ground. The forefoot component21 can be flexurally elastic in order to permit rollover.

As noted above, one or more X-ray points 70 (see FIG. 5) can be arrangedin or on the shaped longitudinal arch part 7, so as to be able to carryout physiologically exact positioning of the longitudinal arch preform 7inside the relief orthosis. After the orthosis has been put on for thefirst time, the X-ray points 70, which have a relatively high densityand can be made of metal for example, allows an X-ray to be taken tocheck whether the longitudinal arch preform 7 is correctly positioned.

FIG. 6 shows a variant of the invention in which, instead of thelongitudinal arch preform 7 being secured directly on the hook-and-loopfastener 82 of the hook-and-loop fastener elements 8, an intermediatepiece 10 is provided which, on the top face, is provided with ahook-and-loop fastener area 15, which is designed correspondingly to thehook-and-loop fastener 82 of the hook-and-loop fastener elements 8, suchthat the longitudinal arch preform 7 can be held securely on theintermediate piece 10. On the underside of the intermediate piece 10, ahook-and-loop fastener element (not visible) is arranged whichcorresponds to the underside of the longitudinal arch preform 7 in orderto permit fixing of the intermediate piece 10 on the hook-and-loopfastener elements 82 in the heel component.

FIG. 6 also shows in more detail that the fastening elements 5 can havehook areas 55 in order to permit fixing on the relief orthosis via theremaining fleeced area of the fastening tapes. It will also be seen thatthe Y-shaped hook-and-loop fastener tapes 6 are provided with hook areas66 for placing on fleeced portions of the fastening elements 5, 6. Thisembodiment with the hook areas 66, 55 can likewise be designed in allillustrative embodiments of the aforementioned figures.

1. A relief orthosis with a foot part, which has a sole, with a shankpart, which extends away from the foot part in the proximal direction,and with at least one fastening element, which secures the orthosis on auser and which is arranged on the foot part and/or on the shank part,characterized in that the foot part is designed to be modifiable inlength.